The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia · Chapter
They Visit the Pyramids explained
The party travels to the Great Pyramid, where Imlac explains its construction and durability.
What happens
The party travels to the Great Pyramid, where Imlac explains its construction and durability. When they prepare to enter, Pekuah is terrified by the narrow entrance and gloom, fearing apparitions. Imlac discusses the universal belief in ghosts, but the Princess resolves to enter despite her fears.
Themes in this chapter
The Limits of Reason and Imagination
Imlac's discourse on the universal belief in apparitions contrasts rational skepticism with the power of collective human testimony and fear.
The Inevitability of Suffering
Pekuah's terror and the Princess's resolve highlight the unavoidable anxieties and dangers faced in the pursuit of knowledge and experience.
Characters to notice
- Rasselas
Reassures Pekuah about the dead, promising safety from apparitions.
- Imlac
Explains the pyramid's construction and the universal belief in apparitions of the dead.
- Nekayah
Comforts Pekuah but insists on entering the pyramid, refusing to learn cowardice.
- Pekuah
Expresses terror at the narrow entrance and gloom, fearing unquiet souls, and begs not to enter.
Key passages
“A concussion that should shatter the pyramid would threaten the dissolution of the continent.”
An earthquake strong enough to destroy the pyramid would also devastate the entire continent.
Imlac emphasizes the pyramid's immense stability.
“That the dead are seen no more, said Imlac, I will not undertake to maintain against the concurrent and unvaried testimony of all ages and of all nations.”
Imlac refuses to deny the existence of ghosts, given the consistent reports from all cultures throughout history.
Imlac argues for the universal belief in apparitions.
“Though I cannot teach courage, said Nekayah, I must not learn cowardice, nor leave at last undone what I came hither only to do.”
The Princess declares that while she cannot instill bravery in others, she herself will not give in to fear and abandon her purpose.
Nekayah resolves to enter the pyramid despite Pekuah's terror.